Flying shear



Dec. 18, 1934 c B|GGVERT JR 1,984,913

FLYING- SHEAR Filed June 17, 1933 '7 Shawna-Shani. l

\\ INVENTOR Dec. 18, 1934. F. c. BIGGERT, JR

'7 Sheets-Shet 3 Dec. 18, 1934. F. c. BIGGERT, JR 1,984,9 3

FLYING SHEAR Filed June '17; 1933' '7 Sheets-Sheet *4 Dec. 18, 1934. F,c. BIGGERT, JR \l,984,913

FLYING SHEAR Filed June 17, 1953 7 sheets-shy 5 Dec. 18, 1934. F. c.BIGGERT, JR 1,

FLYING SHEAR I Filed June 17, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I 8 82 zazaz az 78 h/L INVENTOR 1M 4 A y Patented Dec. 18, 1934 a 1,984,913

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE I FLYING SHEAR Florence C. Biggert, Jr.,Crafton, Pa., assignor to United Engineering & Foundry Company,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 17,1933, Serial No. 676,313

45 Claims. (Cl. 164-68) This invention relates to what is known in thevertical section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1, metal rolling art asa flying shear, and more showing the blade carriers in position toproduce particularly to a shear of the rotary type adapted a cut; Fig. 5a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the for cutting metal strips, bars,billets, and elongate blade carriers in a separated or inoperative posi-5 products of that nature, into sections of predetertion andillustrating the mechanism for shifting 5 mined lengths while in motion.the carriers somewhat schematically; Fig. 6 a The primary object of theinvention generally horizontal section taken through the center ofstated is to provide an improved shear of this the Geneva and pin wheelsemployed for operatcharacter which is capable of being adjusted to g t eb ade-Ca ier adj mechanism;

lO produce with avery high degree of accuracy cuts 7 a somewhatschematic View shown partly in l of any desired length within arelatively wide section and. partly in elevation of the control range oflengths, mechanism utilized to control the operation of the Anotherobject is to provide a rotary type shear blade-carrier adj Cams andincluding a in which the shear blades are at all times driven ing dia rm fth elec ri al c ntrol mechanism 15 at a peripheral speedcorresponding within utilized therewith; Fig. 8 a plan view to enlargedl tolerable cutting limits with the lineal speed of scale of one of thepin-selecting units of the conthe stock being operated upon, and inwhich adt 01 mec an sm sh in '7; Fig 9 a sectiona justments can be madeto produce cuts of differview taken on the line IX- -IX of Fi entlengths without altering to any substantial a sectional view taken onthe line X X of Fig. 8;

extent the speed of the shear. Fig. 11 a sectional view taken on theline XI-XI. 20

A further object is to provide in a shear of this Of Fig. 12 a sectionalView taken on the nature for easily and quickly, as well as acli I I fFi 8; and F 1 a fragmentary curately, adjusting it to produce cuts ofdifierent vertical section taken on the line XIII-XIII of preselectedlengths and for doing so while it is in g- 2; I

motion as well aswhen it is idle. Referring in detail to the embodimentof the 25 It is also an object to provide for controlling invention sthe drawings, and first more the shear toautomatically cropthe leadingend c a y to Figs- 1 t0 u ve, the nuof each piece of stock fed intoit,'and for doing meral 1 d ates the upp me of the so accurately andwithout interrupting or altershear Which is made up principally of a POf ing the normal rotary movement of the cutting end uprights bearingusings 2 and 3 which 30 elements, except to move them into cutting oparem unted on a base 4 and have their upper position with each other at theproper instant. s firmly joinedtogether by a cover section or A morespecific object is to provide a flying i beam 5- Be w u p hts there isarshear of the rotary type in which a plurality of ged apair ofcooperating rotary blade carcutting blades is provided on each of theblade 6 a d 7, On each of Which three a y dis- 35 carriers and in whichprovision is made for movposed cutt blades 8 8b and 8 and 9b d ing suchcarriers into and out of cutting opposi- C, e p y, Spaced apart aredtion with each other in such-a manner as to selec- The ends or axes 11,and 12 of these carriers tively utilize the various blades mountedthereon are mounted in suitable bearings 13 and 14 which forproduc'ingcuts of various lengths, and for are supported inlwindows 15 and 16provided in 40 doing so at relatively high speeds without marring the ps and 3 for their p n. In acor marking of the stock between cuts, orwithout cordance with this embodiment of the invention, interfering withthe rotary movement of the carthe upper carrier 6 is held against otherthan roriers, or causing them to lose any of their momentary movement bybolts 17 and 18 which secure tum either during the period of cutting orbetween the upper bearings 13 rigidly to the crosspiece- 5 45 cuts. I atthe top of the frame 1. The lower carrier,

These and numerous other objectsfas well as however, is mounted forvertical reciprocation so the various other novel features andadvantages that it may be moved into and out of cutting opof theinvention, will be apparent when the fol- .position with theupper-carrier to vary the lengths lowing detailed description is read inconjunction of the cuts which the shear will produce, as will 50 withthe accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 presently appear. is a planview of a shear constructed in accord- For supporting the bearings 14 inwhich the ance with the invention; Fig. 2 a front elevational lowercarrier '7 is mounted and for controlling the view of the same shear;Fig. 3 a vertical section vertical reciprocation of such .carrier, apair of 5 taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a cam wheels 21 ismounted onashaft 22 supported Y lower bearings 14.

' rotated, each time their apices. are moved under the bearings 14, andthey are so shaped as to provide both smooth and rapid movement of thelower carrier.

To facilitate the movement of the cams 21 under the lower ends of thebearings 14, the latter are equipped with rollers 25 which are arrangedto ride upon the periphery of the cams,

and to insure the lower blade carrier 7 following the cams as it isrotated when the shear is operated at relatively high speeds, a pair ofcoil springs 28 having sufiicient. strength for such purpose ispositioned between the lower faces of the upper bearings 13 and theupper faces of the For operating the shear a motor 31 is coupled to itthrough a gear change unit 32, which latter is employed to vary thespeed of the shear with respect to the stock for a purpose which willpresently appear. Although various forms of speed changing devices maybe used in this capacity, a gear unit such as that disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 1,852,282, granted to the present inventor April 5,1932, is recommendedbecause of the fine speed adjustments which such aunit may be made to produce. To operate the shear in synchronism withstock, which is necessary for the production of cuts of accurate length,a drive 10 for the stock-feeding means, not shown, may be connecteddirectly to the drive shaft of the shear motor 31, or, in the event theshear is operated to handle stock delivered directly from a mill, asynchronous type motor 31 may be employed, and connected to receive itsoperating current from a synchronous generator operated by the mill.

As illustrated in the drawings, a pinion 34 is provided on the drivenshaft 33 of the gear unit opposition with the upper carrier.

32 and arranged to mesh with a gear 35 mounted on a shaft 36 which isrigidly connected through suitable couplings 3'7 with the axis 11 of theupper blade carrier 6. For driving the lower blade carrier 7 insynchronism with the upper and at the same time permit it to be adjustedvertically in its supports, a gear 38 is mounted on the shaft 36 of theupper carrier 6 and meshed with a gear 39 of similar size mounted on ashaft 41 that in turn is connected by means of shaft 40 and a pair offlexible couplings 42 to the axis 12 of the lower carrier 7.

For preventing the blades on the two carriers from jamming or separatingto any deleterious extent when a cut is being made, gears 43 and 44 areprovided on the opposite ends of the axes 11 and 12 of the two carriersand arranged to mesh and hold the carriers in accurate alignmentwhenever the lower carrier is moved into cutting The teeth of thesegears are so shaped that they will both readily mesh with each otherwhen they are moved together and positively insure the proper alignmentof the cutting blades, it being appreciated that, as the two driveshafts on which the carriers are mounted are positivelytied together,the gears 43 and 44 are at all times in proper alignment for meshing.

For driving the shaft 22 on which the lower blade-carrier adjusting cams21 are mounted, a miter gear 45 is also provided on the driven shaft Iin suitable bearings 23 located directly below the 33 of the gear changeunit 32 and arranged to mesh with a similar gear 46 mounted on the endof a shaft 4'7 which is supported at its lower end in a suitable bearing48 provided at the base of the shear. .Adjacent the lower end of thisshaft a miter gear 49 is keyed, and is meshed with a similar gear 51mounted on a shaft 52 which is suitably supported in parallel alignmentwith the cam shaft 22. On the end of this latter shaft adjacent theshear frame there is provided a pinion 53 which is arranged to mesh witha gear 50 comprising the outer rim of a pin wheel 54 mounted on a shaft55 disposed in parallel relation between it and the center line of thecam shaft 22 upon which the cam wheels 21 are mounted. g

The pin wheel 54, just referred to, is employed to operate a wheel 64 inthe nature of a Geneva wheel and hereinafter referred to as such whichis mounted on the adjacent end of the cam shaft 22, being equipped, asshown best in Figs. and 8,

with twelve evenly spaced pins 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d,

56e, 56f, 56g, 56h, 561', 567', 56k and 561, which are these pins aremounted for axial movement in a circular series of openings 57a, 57b,57c, 57d, 57e, 57 57a, 57h,,57i, 577', 57k and 5'71, respectively,provided in'the webof the wheel, and for guiding them in such movementtheir outer ends are extended, respectively, through a series of holes58a, 58b, 58c, 58d, 58e,758f, 58!], 58h. 582', 587', 58k and 581provided in. a guide wheel 59 mounted on the pin wheel supporting shaft55 in spaced relation with the pin wheel. Between the outer face of thisguide wheel 59 and a fitting 61 secured to the outer end of each of thepins 56a to 561 by an extension 62, a compression spring 63 is mounted,which is adapted to normally hold the pins in an inoperative position.

The Geneva wheel 64 is provided with the same number of radial slots 65as there are lobes 24 on the cam wheels 21, and these are spaced midwaybetween such lobes so as to place them in a position to receive the pins.56ato 56! when the lower carrier '7 is at the lower end 'of its stroke,which it is when the rollers on the lower ends of the lower bearings 14rest in the valleys between the lobes 24, as they normally do. The depthof these slots 65, and the design and arrangement of the pin wheel 54and the Geneva wheel 64, are made such that when one of the pins 56a to561 on the pin wheel 54 is operated to engage one of the slots 65 itwill cause the Geneva wheel to turn a distance equal to the length ofone of the cam lobes 24, i. e., 60, before it passes out of such slot.To produce such a turning of the Geneva wheel a pin wheel is requiredwhich will turn 120 during the period the pin is engaged in the Genevawheel. 7

As set forth above, the pin wheel 54 is driven in positive synchronismwith the blade carriers 6 and 7, and the pins 56 are so timed withrespect to the blades8 and 9 that a pair of blades is in cuttingopposition to each other at the instant each pin arrives at the edge oftheGeneva wheel. Consequently, as the Geneva wheel when idle is alwaysin a position to be engaged by the pins, it may be set in motion by anyone of the pins so long as the pin selected for such purpose is operatedto engage such wheel before it reaches its edge.

In the particular machine illustrated, to provide a smoth cam action, aswell as a smoth movement of the lower'carrier at both high and lowspeeds, the pin wheel is driven at one-fourth the speed of the bladecarriers. In other.- words the blade carriers are made to make one andonethird revolutions while the pinwheel' is rotating one-third of arevolution, which is the distance the latter travels while the pins areengaged in the Geneva wheel. For example, when a pin such as pin 56a,Fig. 5, enters-a slot 65 in the Geneva wheel, a pair of blades 8b and 9bwill be'in cutting opposition to ,each other. At the same instant thebearing rollers 25 will be at the pointson the cam wheels 21. During thefirst 30 travel of the pin wheel after the pin 56a engages the- Genevawheel, it will move to the point m, while the lobe on the cam will bemoved to the point 0 which is less than 15. During such period the nextpair of blades 80 and 9c will move into cutting opposition. The amountwhich the W carrier 7 will be moved vertically, due to the movement ofthe earns 21, as indicated, will be less than half of its verticalmovement.

With the next 30 travel of the pin wheel, the pin 56a is moved to thepointm the blades 8a and 9a into cutting opposition, and the cams 21 tothe point 0 at which time the lower carrier '7 is in cutting position.As will be appreciated, during this period the Geneva wheel is moved anangular distance in excess of 1'5-and the lower carrier the greaterportion of its upward travel. During the following 30 travel of the pinwheel, the succeeding set of blades 8b and 9b moves into cuttingopposition, and the carrier is lowered the amount 'it is raised thepreceding period, the cam moving to the point 0 and the pin to the pointm. Hence, the blades moving intocutting opposition just before and justafter each out are prevented from engaging the stock, which normallypasses between the carriers at an elevation well out of the path of theblades on both carriers. During the last 30 travel of the pin 56a in theGeneva wheel, the cam lobe 24 is moved to the point 0 where it remainsuntil another pin is engaged in the Geneva wheel.

With such an arrangement, as the pin wheel 54 has to travel 120 for eachpin. 56 to clear the Geneva wheel, only every fourth pin may be engagedon the Geneva wheel, and the shortest lengths which may be out withoutaltering the speed of the carriers with respect to the speed of thestock, is one which is equal to a span of four cutting blades, or to oneand one-third revolutions of the carriers. This, of course, may bereduced by one-half by reducing the ratio of the pin wheel drive to twoto one, or increased by stepping it up to a higher ratio.

Cuts having a length in excess of the aforementioned minimum length; maybe produced by merely controlling the selection of the pins 56 made toenter the Geneva wheel. For example, every fifth pin will produce a cutequal to one and two-thirds revolutions of the carr'iersQevery sixth pinone equal to every two revolutions 'of the carriers, and so on. Toproduce cuts between" these steps the gear change unit 32 may be broughtinto play to vary the speed of the shear with respect to the speed ofthe stock, and as the diswill be no possibility of the shear causing thestock to buckle when a cut is made.

To assist in preventing the blades on the two carriers from marking orotherwise damaging the stock between cuts, an apron 60 may be mountedbetween the uprights 2 and 3 in front of the blade carriers to guide thestock through the shear. Such an apron, as shown in Fig. 13, ispivotally mounted on a shaft 60d secured to the uprights 2 and 3 andulcrumed on a pair of cams 60a mounted on theopposite ends of a shaft60b also supported in the two uprights 2 and 3 between the outer shaft60d andthe blade carriers. For 'operating such cams a tailpiece 600 isprovided on each cam 60a and is arranged to be engaged at the free endthereof by bosses 14a formed on the adjacent faces of the bearings 14;of the lower blade carrier 7. Thus the cams 60a are caused to oscillateeach time the lower carrier is raised and lowered, and to function asintended the faces 60e of the cams are so made that they cause the apronto maintain the stock at all times, except when a cut is made,sufficiently above the lower carrier to prevent the blades on suchcarrier from striking it, but not high enough at any time for it to bestruck by the upper blades.

To facilitate the movement of the pins 56 in the slots 65 of the Genevawheel, a roller 66 is mounted preferably in roller bearings on the lowerend of each pin and provided with a diameter which is but slightly lessthan the width of the slots 65, and to avoid any possible jamming of thepins, 56 with the Geneva wheel in 'the event any of the pins attempts toengagejsuch wheel when its slots are not in the proper position fortheir reception, the outer edge, or the periphery '70, of the Genevawheel is tapered away from the pin wheels so that the pins will rideupon the surface of the inclined portion 70 and into the first availableslot, or over the surface of the Geneva wheel without causing anydamage. It will be appreciated of course that the Geneva wheel isnormally held in proper position for receiving the pins 56 when theGeneva wheel is idle by the engagement of the lower blade carrierbearing 14 in the valleys of the cam'wheels 21.

For operating ,the' pins 56 in the pin wheel 54 w an electromagnet 67 ofsuitable construction is mounted on the pin wheel about each pin. Asshown in Fig. 6, these magnets each comprise a coil 6'72 which issecured to the web of the wheel 54, and cooperating with each is a discof permeable material 673 which is mounted on the pin above the coil andadapted to function both as an armature for moving and as a stop forlimiting the movement of the pin. To increase the efficiency of themagnet it may be spaced from the wheel 54; if such is made of permeablematerial, by a spacer 67:): made of non-permeable material, or materialhaving a very low permeability as may be the pin itself.

In order to connect the different pin magnets to a source of currentsupply, such as line conductors L1 and L2, .(Fig. '7 so that they may beoperated independently of each other, a series of slip rings 69, 69a,69b, 69c, 69d, 69e, 69f, 69g, 69h, 692', 697', 69k and 691 is providedon the pin wheel supporting shaft being mounted in insulated relation toeach other, see Fig. '1. Of these, one ring 69 is connected in common toone end of all of the magnet coils 672 by a. common conductor '71, whilethe others are connected by individual conductors 71a to 711 to theother ends of such coils. By a suitable brush and conductor 72, the slipring 69 connected in common to all of the coils 672 is connected to lineconductor L1. In a like fashion the remaining slip rings 69a to 691 areconnected by separate conductors 72a to 721, inclusive, to lineconductor L2 through a series of relays 74a to 741 which are employed tocontrol the energization of the pin magnets, being provided withnormally open bridging members 75a to '751 which are connected directlyin such conductors.

In order to automatically and selectively control the operation of thepins 56a to 561 in the pin wheel 54, a series of twelve insulatedcollector rings 77a to 771 is provided on an extension 76 of the pinwheel shaft 55. To these rings one end of the actuating coils 83a ,to831 of the relays 74a to 741, respectively, is connected by a series ofconductors 84a to 841. The other ends of such coils are in turnconnected by a series of conductors 82a to 821, respectively, to aseries of interrupted conductor bands 79a to 791, respectively, providedon a, drum switch 78 which is mounted on the opposite end of theextension 76 of the pin wheel shaft 55. These latter bands, as shown,are in turn all connected to each other and tom extension M1 of lineconductor L1 by a conductor .81.

To complete the energizing circuits for the actuating coils 83a to 831,the collector rings 77a to 771 which are connected to one side of suchcoils are connected by a series of conductors 85a to 851 arranged withinthe extension shaft 76 to a plurality of disc-shaped distributors 86, 87and 88 which are secured in spaced relation on such shaft between itstwo ends. As illustrated best in Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive, thesedistributors each comprises a series of twelve arc-like conductorsegments 91a to 911 which are mounted on the outer edge of eachdistributor in insulated relation to each other, and connected inparallel relation by conductors a to 901 to the conductors 85a to 851,respectively, which are connected between the distributors and thecollector rings 77a to 771.

Adjacent the distributors 86, 87 and 88 there is mounted a series ofgears 92, 93 and 94. This series is meshed with a second series of gears95, 96 and 97, respectively, mounted on a series of relatively shortshafts 98, 99 and 101 mounted in suitable bearing stands 102, 103 and104. On these latter shafts there is loosely mounted a series of brushcarriers 105, 106 and 107 which are each equipped with a pair ofdiametrically opposed brushes 109a and 109b, 111a and 111b, and 112a and112b, arranged to contact the conductor segments 91a to 911 on thedistributors 86, 87 and 88, respectively, when they are'rotatedthereover. To energize these brushes they are connected to collectorrings 113, 114 and 115 mounted on the brush carriers 105, 106 and 107,respectively/which are contacted by brushes 116, 117

and 118, respectively, mounted in the bearing stands 102, 103 and 104.These in turn are connected by conductors 119, 121 and 122 to anextension M2 of line conductor L1. Hence when the extensions M1 and M2of line conductors L1 and L2 are energized, a circuit is establishedthrough one of the relay actuating coils 83 each time one of the brusheson one of the brush carriers is moved into contact with one of theconductor in Figs. 7 and 11, is a series of dogs 129, 131 and 132 whichare pivotally mounted on the brush carriers 105, 106 and 107 in a mannerto engage the teeth of the ratchet wheels, springs 133 being connectedbetween each of them and the brush carriers to normally bias them intoengagement with the teeth of the associated ratchet wheels.

To disengage the dogs 129, 131 and 132 from the ratchet wheels and alsohold the brush carriers in a preselected position when not in operation,aseries of latches 134, 135 and 136 is mounted adjacent the brushcarriers to engage a notch in each of the brush carriers and the end ofa tailpiece 137 provided on each dog. To insure the carriers beingstopped by the latches when the latter engage the,tailpieces, a lug 138is provided on each brush carrier to engage the tailpieces 137 after thelatches have moved them sufiiciently to disengage the dogs from theteeth of the ratchet wheels. These latches 134, and'136 are normallyheld in a position to engage the tailpieces 137 by suitable means, suchas a spring, not illustrated, and are equipped with electromagnet coils139, 141 and 142 for moving them to an unlatched position. To energizethese coils they are connected to theextensions M1, M2 of the lineconductors Ll, L2 by conductors 143, 144 and 145 in which manuallyoperable switches 146, 147, and 148, respectively, are provided forselecting which of the brush carriers will be set in operation.

It is the purpose of the brush carrier and distributor units to providefor automatically and selectively controlling the operation of the pins56 on the pin wheel 54 to determine the lengths of the cuts which theshear will produce. To attain this end the brush carriers anddistributors are so designed that the brushes contact only 7 oneconductor segment on a distributor each time a brush is rotated over thedistributors, and to contact subsequent segments at regular intervals aslong as the brush carriers are rotated. To effect such operation, thegears 92 and 95, 93 and'96, and 94 and 97 mounted on the control driveshaft extension 76 and the brush supporting shafts 98, 99 and 101,respectively, are designed with a ratio which will provide the sequenceof operations required. In the present apparatus the ratios of thesegears are 12 to 8, 12 to 10, and 12 to 12, and the brush carriers areso'proportioned that when they are rotated the brushes 109a and 10% oncarrier 105 strike every fourth conductor segment on the distributor 86,the brushes 111a and lllb on carrier 106 every fifth segment on thedistributor 87,

and the brushes 112a and 112b every sixth segment on the distributor 88.Hence, if brush carrier 105 is placed in operation, it will cause everyfourth pin 56 on the pin wheel 54 to pro duce a out which will result ina out being made on every ;one and one-third revolutions of the bladecarriers 6 and 7. When carrier 106 is operated a cut will be produced byevery fifth pin 56 or on every one and two-thirds revolutions of theblade carriers, and when carrier 107 is operated a cut will be producedby every sixth pin 56 or on every two revolutions of the blade carriers.As is obvious, the number and ratio of the brush carriers anddistributor units may be increased to increase or alter the rangedistributors in the proper manner so that they.

will engage only one segment each time they pass over the distributor,the teeth on the ratchet wheels 126, 127 and 128 are correlated with theconductor segments on the associated distribu- .tors 86, 87 and 88. Forexample, ratchet wheel 126 is provided with eight teeth, ratchet wheel127 with ten teeth, and ratchet wheel 128 with twelve teeth, and theseare so timed with the distributors that when the dogs 129, 131 and 132engage them they cause the associated brushes to be brought intoengagement with the distributor segments at the proper time. Inaddition, the latches" 134, 135 and 136, as indicated in Figs. 11 and12, are so located that the brushes on the associated brush carriers areheld, when not in use, in such a position that they will strike thefirst conductor segment which passes under the brush carriers after thelatchesare released.

To eliminate waste on the first cut which the shear-makes on a piece ofstock fed into it, a flag switch 149 is adjustably mounted in the pathof the stock 151*to be engaged by the leading end thereof as itapproaches the shear which is designated at S in Fig. 7. Such flagswitch, as illustrated, is connected to a switch 152 which is adapted toconnect line conductors L1 and L2 to the extensions M1 and m when theflag is closed. Hence when one of the switches 146, 147 or 148 is closedand the latch 134, 135 or 136 associated therewith is thereby renderedoperable, the brush carrier controlled by the operated latch will be setin motion as soon as the extensions M1 and M: are energized by theclosing of the flag switch. Consequently, by positioning the flag switchproperly with respect to the movement of the distributors and the bladecarriers, the shear can be made to produce first cuts which will vary inlength an amount of not more than one-third of a revolution of the bladecarrier, which is'the maximum distance the carriers may travel duringthe time it takes the ratchet wheels to travel the length of one of theratchet wheel teeth.

By way of illustrating the operation of the invention, assume that themanually operable switch 148 is closed, and the latch magnet 142operated to put brush carrier 107 in service to produce cuts on everytwo revolutions of the blade carriers as hereinbefore described. Also,assume that the lower blade carrier 7 is in its normal inactive positionat the lower end of its reciprocating stroke, and that a piece of stock151 is being fed into the shear at a lineal speed equal to theperipheral speed of the blade carriers.- When the front end of the stock151 strikes the flag switch 149 mounted in front of the shear suchswitch will be clmed, and it in turn will close the switch 152. Thus,the normally deenergized extensions M1, M: of line conductors LnL'z willbe energized. As soon. as these are energized, due to switch 148 beingclosed, latch 136 will be actuated and dog 132 released. This in turnconnects a brush carrier 107 to its driven supporting shaft 101. Withthe engagement of dog 132 in the ratchet wheel 128, brush 112a will bemoved into contact with oneof the conductor segments on the distributor88,

which assume will be segment 91a. When such contact is made a circuitwill be established which is traced. from the extension M: of lineconductor L1 through conductor 122, brush 118, collector ring 115, brush112a on brush carrier 107, conductor segment 91a of distributor 88,conductor 90a, conductor 85a, collector ring 77a on shaft 76, conductor84a, coil 83a of relay 74a, conductor 82a, conductor band 79a on drumswitch 78, and

conductor 81 to the extension M1 of line conductor L1. With theenergization of such circuit, relay 74a closes, and in. closingcompletes a circuit which is traced from line conductor L1 throughconductor 73, the common collector ring 69 on the pin wheel supportingshaft 55, conductor 71, coil 672 mounted on pin 56a, conductor 71a,collector ring 69a, conductor 72a, and the bridging member a of relay74a to line conductor L2. With the completion of this circuit, pin 56ais actuated to engage the Geneva wheel, which it does as soon as it isrotated into engagement with one of the slots 65.

In order to maintain the magnet 672: on pin 56aenergized. after thebrush 11211 on brush carrier 107 passes out of engagement with theconductor segment 91a of the associated distributor 88, which it doesbefore the pin has time to turn the Geneva wheel the required amount foreach cut, a holding circuit is provided for the actuating coil 83a ofthe relay 74a. This holding circuit'is formed by a bridging member 153awhich is mounted on the relay 74a with its associated contacts connectedto the distributor side of the coil 83a and to-line conductor L2,respectively. Holding circuits of this character are provided bybridging members 153a to 1531 on all of the relays 74a to 741. As soonas such bridging member 153a is closed the circuit for the actuatingcoil 83a of relay 74a is traced from line conductor L2 through the drumswitch 78 as before to line conductor extension M1, and such lattercircuit is main tained until the pin 56a passes out of engagemerit withthe Geneva wheel, at which time the interruption in the conductor band79?: of switch pin 56a returns the pin to its inoperative position inreadiness for its next operation. A similar arrangement is of coursecarried out in all of the interrupted conductor bands 79a to 791 on thedrum switch, so that each pin 56 used to produce a cut is automaticallyrendered inoperative as soon as it passes from engagement with ,the.Geneva wheel. To insure the pins56-beingreturned to their inoperativeposition in case the springs 63 fail to function a cam 80 is provided inthe casing in which the Geneva and pin wheels are housed and disposed toengage such pins as the pin wheel is rotated over it.

v When. brush '112b engages the distributor 88 a similar cycle ofoperation is inaugurated differing only in that segment 919 controls thecircuits established-and brings pin 569 into service. As

tum to its normal dog-engaging position where it picks up the tail-pieceof the dog 132 and stops the brush carrier in a position ready forstarting when the next piece of stock is fed into the .shear. ,'Toinsure against any possibility of the shear missing the last regularcut, switch 152 is provided with a time delay which holds it closedsufficiently to attain such end after the strip passes out of contactwith the'flag switch 149. The operation, of course, is the same when wthe other brush carriers. are operated, except that every fifth andfourth pin 56 is brought into service by them to produce cuts of one andtwothirds, and one and one-third revolutions of the blade carriers,respectively.

To produce cuts intermediate the length which the shear will make whenoperated at the same speed as the stock, as is contemplated in theforegoing description, the gear changeunit 32 is brought into service.For such operation, a brush carrier is selected for service which undernormal operation causes cuts to be produced which are the nearest longerlength to those desired. The gear change unit 32 is then adjusted tospeed up the operation of the shear sufiiciently to produce the exactlength of cuts desired. As will be readily appreciated, because of theplurality of blades on the blade carriers, and the fact that they may beused selectively, it is unnecessary for this purpose to vary the speedof the shear from that of the stock sufliciently to in any way interferewith the operation of the shear.

As referred to hereinbefore, any number of brush-carrier pin-selectingunits may be used to render the shear capable of producing cuts of anypractical length desired. This will be appreciated when it is consideredthat if one of the brushes from each of the carriers 105, 106 and 107 isremoved, such carriers will. produce cuts of twice the length they dowhen the two brushes are used as described above. As also previouslymentioned the lengths of the cuts may be varied by varying the speed ofthe pin wheel 54 with respect to the speed of the blade carriers. Forexample, as stated hereinbefore, if the pin wheel 54 is operated at halfthe speed of the blade carriers every other blade may be caused toproduce a. cut as a minimum length, and by increasing,

the ratio of such drive the minimum length may be correspondinglyincreased. Further, a greater i or lesser number of blades may be usedon the changes in the number of lobes 24 on the cam wheels 21 and pins56 on the pin wheel, although.

the arrangement illustrated here is recommended as the most practicaldesign for most purposes and general use.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained theprinciple and mode of operation of my invention, and have illustratedand described what I now consider to be its best embodiment. However, Idesire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specificallyillustrated and described.

I claim: e

1. In a flying shear, a movably mounted rotary blade carrier equippedwith a plurality of equally spaced cutting blades, means for moving saidcarrier into and out of cutting position, a Geneva- 3. A flying shearcomprising a pair 01' iO i y ting relation with the other, means drivenin timed relation with the blades on said blade carriers for selectivelymoving said adjustable carrier into and out of cutting relation with theother carrier at an instant when the blades thereon are moved in cuttingopposition to produce a cut, and means set in motion by the stock fed tothe shear for automatically controlling said selectively operablecarrieradjusting means.

4. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers equippedwith an equal plurality of uniformly spaced cutting blades, meansadjustably supporting one of said carriers out of cutting relation withthe other, means for driving said carriers in positive synchronism,means for moving said adjustably supported carrier into and out ofcutting relation with the other in such a manner that onlyone pair ofcooperating blades on the two carriers moves into cutting oppositionwhile the carriers are together, and means for selectively controllingsaid carrier-adjusting mechanism to utilize the cutting blades at randomin controlling the lengths of the cuts.

5. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers equippedwith an equal plurality of uniformly spaced cutting blades, meansnormally supporting one of said carriers out of cutting relation withthe other, means i'or moving said normally separated carrier intocutting relation with the other carrier, means for continuously drivingsaid carriers in positive synchronism and other means rendered operablewhen the carriers are moved together for positively preventing saidcutting blades interfering with each other and also holding them inproper cutting relation.

6. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers equippedwith an equal plurality of uniformly spaced cuttingblades meansadjustably supporting one of said carriers out of cutting relation withthe other, means'for driving said carriers continuously in positivesynchronism, selectively operable means driven in synchronism with saidcarriers for moving said adjustably supported carrier into and out ofcutting relation with the other in timed relation with the moving of thecutting blades on the two carriers intocutting opposition, and means foreffecting intermittent operation of said selectively operablecarrier-moving means to determine the ably supporting one of saidcarriers out of cutting relation with the other, means for driving saidcarriers continuouslyin positivesynchronism, selectively operable meansdriven in synchronism with said carriers for moving said adjustablysupported carrier into and out of cutting relation with the other intimed relation with the moving of the cutting blades on the two carriersinto cutting opposition, means for eil'ecting intermittent operation ofsaid selectively operable carrier moving means to determine the lengthsof the cuts, and means for varying the operation of said last-mentionedmeans to vary the lengths of the cuts.

8. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers equippedwith an equal plurality of uniformly 'spaced cutting blades, meansadjustably supporting one of said carriers out of cutting relation withthe other, means for driving said carriers continuously in positive synchronism, selectively operable means driven in synchronism with saidcarriers for moving said adjustably supported carrier into and out ofcutting relation in timed relation with the moving of the cutting bladeson the two carriers into cutting opposition, means for effectingintermittent operation of said selectively operable carrier-moving meansto determine the lengths \of the cuts, and means responsive'to the stockfed into the shear for setting said last-mentioned means in operation.

9. A flying shear'comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers eachequipped with a plurality of uniformly spaced cutting blades, meansadjustably supporting one of said carriers out of cutting relation withthe others, means driven in synchronism with said carriers forselectively moving said adjustably supported carrier into and out ofcutting relation with the other carrier in -a manner to utilize atrandom the different blades on said carriers to control the lengths ofthe cuts, and means for varying the operation of said selective operablecarrier-moving means to vary the lengths of the cuts.

10. In combination, a rotary flying shear comprising a pair of rotatablymounted blade carriers equipped with a plurality of cutting blades,means for moving 'cneof said carriers into and out of cutting relationwith the other in timed relation with the blades thereon for varying thelengths of the cuts, meansfor feeding stock into the shear, means forsynchronously driving both said shear and stock-feeding means, means forselectively moving one of said shear carriers into and out of cuttingrelation with the other to produce cuts, and means for varying theratios of speed between said stockfeeding means and said shear to varythe lengths of the cuts.

11. In a flying shear, a laterally adjustable, rotary blade carrierequipped with a cutting blade, means adapted to normally support saidcarrier in an inoperative position, means for moving said support tomove said carrier into cutting position, and means actuated with saidcarrier for preventing the blades on said carrier contacting the stockbeing severed between cuts.

12. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotary blade carriers equippedwith cutting blades, means for normally supporting one of said carriersout of cutting relation with the other, means for actuating said carriersupport to place the carrier supported thereby in position to producecuts, a Geneva wheel for actuating said. carrier support, means drivenin synchronism with said carriers for selectively controlling theoperation of said Geneva wheel, and a common source of power for drivingsaid shear, said Geneva wheel, and said Geneva wheeloperating controlmeans.

13. In a flying shear, a pair of rotary blade' carriers, means formoving one of said carriers into and out of cutting relation with theother, means for controlling the operation of said car rier-adjustingmeans comprising a 'rotatably mounted distributor, a plurality ofcontiguous conduction segments mounted in electrically in- "bladecarriers each equipped with a plurality of sulated relation on saiddistributor, a series of electrical circuits connected to said" segmentsand to means comprising said carrier-adjusting means, a rotary brushcarrier mounted for rotation in a plane parallel with and adjacent tosaid distributor, a brush mounted on said carrier to engage saidsegments when said brush carrier is moved over said distributor, andmeans Y by such pins.

for supplying current to said brush for energizing said distributorsegments and the circuits connecmd thereto.

14. In a flying shear, a pair of rotary blade carriers, means for movingone of said carriers into and out of cutting relation with the other,means for controlling the operation of said carrier-adjusting meanscomprising a plurality of rotatably mounted distributors, a plurality ofcontiguous conductor segments mounted in electrically insulated relationon each of said distributors, a rotary brush carrier mounted forrotation in a plane parallel with and adjacent to each of saiddistributors, a brush mounted on each of said brush carriers to contactthe conductor segments on the adjacent distributors when the brushes arerotated thereover, means for driving each of said carriers at adifierent relative but synchronized speed with said distributors, aplurality of circuits connected in parallel to the segments of saiddistributors and to said carrier-adjusting means, and means forselectively energizing said brush carriers.

15. In combination with a flying shear, a control system for controllingthe operation of the shear comprising a disc-shaped distributor equippedwith a plurality of conductor segments mounted on one face of saiddistributor disc adjacent the outer edge thereof, a brush carriermounted for. rotation in a plane parallel with and adjacent to saiddistributor; with a portion of it overlapping said distributor, a brushmounted on said carrier to contact the conductor segments on saiddistributor at regular intervals as it is rotated thereover, means forselectively energizing said brush, means for driving said carrier intimed relation with said distributor disc so that only one of saidconductor segmentsis contacted by said brush each time the brush ismoved over ihe distributor, and a plurality of shear-operating circuitsconnected to said conductor segments.

16. In a flying shear, a pair of rotary blade carriers equipped withcutting blades, means including a radially slotted wheel for moving oneof said carriers into and out of cuttingrelation with the other carrier,a pin wheel equipped wi h a plurality of pins for operating said slottedwheel, means for selectively operating saidpin's to engage said slottedwheel, means for resiliently returningsaid pins to their inoperativeposition after each operation thereof, and cam means for, positively-returning said pins to their inoperative position in case saidresilient means fails to work. v r a 17. In a flying shear, a'pair ofrotary blade carriers equipped with cutting blades, a cam for moving oneof said carriers into and-out of cutting relation with the other intimed relation with the movement of said blades, a slotted wheel foractuating said cam means, a pin wheel equipped with a plurality ofadjustable pins for operating said slotted wheel, and means for holdingsaid slotted wheel in a position to receive the pins in said pin wheelwhen not being moved 18. A flying shear comprising a pair of rotaryuniformly spaced cutting blades, means adjust ably supporting one ofsaid carriers out of cutting relation with the other, means for drivingboth of said carriers in positive synchronism, means for moving saidadjustable carrier to selectively utilize the cutting blades thereon forproducing cuts, and means responsive to the approach of a piece of stockfed to the shear for controlling the carrier-adjusting means in such away as to produce a first or cropping cut of length not greater thanthedistance between the blades on the carriers.

19. In a flying shear, a movably mounted rotary blade carrier equippedwith a plurality of equally spacedlaxially disposed cutting blades, cammeans for moving said carrier into and out of cutting position, a Genevawheel disposed to intermittently operate said cam means, and meansdriven in synchronism with said carrier for operatin said Geneva wheelin timed relation with the. cutting blades on the carrier.

20. In a flying shear, a rotary blade carrier equipped with a pluralityof uniformly spaced axially disposed cutting blades, a cam wheelequipped with a plurality of equally spaced cam lobes adapted tonormally support said carrier in 'a non-operative position and to moveit into and out of cutting position each time it is rotated an angulardistance equal to the length of one or said lobes and means driven insynchronism with said carrier for intermittently operating said I camwheel in timed relation with the blades in said carrier.

21. In a flying shear, a pair of rotatably mounted blade carriers eachequipped with a plurality of equally spaced axially disposed cuttingblades, means rigidly holding one of said carriers against other thanrotary movement, means comprising a rotatably mounted cam disposed tonormally support said other carrier in spaced non-operative relationwith said rigidly supported carrier and adapted when rotated to move itinto cutting relation therewith, and means for so operating said cam asto selectively utilize the blades on said carriers to control thelengths of the cuts.

22. In a flying shear; a pair of rotatably mounted blade carriers eachequipped with a plurality of equally spaced axially disposed cuttingblades, means rigidly holding one of said carriers against other thanrotary movement, means comprising a rotatably mounted camdisposedito-normally support said other carrier in spaced non-opera tiverelation with respect to said rigidly supported carrier and adapted whenrotated to move the carrier supported by it into cutting relation withthe other, and means for operating said cam in timed. relation with saidcarriers to selectively utilize the diflerent blades on the carriers andthereby control the lengths of the cuts.

23. In a flying shear, a pair of rotatably mounted blade carriers eachequippedwith a plurality of equally spaced axially disposed cuttingblades, means rigidly holding one of said carriers against other thanrotary movement, means for moving said other carrier into and out 01'cutting relation with said rigidly supDOrted carrier, said means,comprising a rotatablymounted cam mechanism designed to normally supportsaid movable carrier in spaced non-operative cutting relation with therigidlyv supported carrier and adapted when rotated to move thecarriersupported thereby into cutting relation with the other carrier,and, means synchronized with said carriers for intermittently operatingsaid cam and adapted to move said movable carrier into and out ofcutting relation/with said rigidly supported carrier each time it isactuated andin such a way that only one cut is produced with. each suchoperaion. r.

24. In a flying shear,a pair ,of rotatably mounted blade carriers eachequipped with a plurality of equally spaced axially disposed cuttingblades,

synchronism with said carriers for operating said means for driving saidcarriers in positive synchronism and insuch timed relation that theblades of onelwill move into cutting opposition with those .01 the otherwith each revolution thereof, means comprisng a rotatably mountedcamadapted to normally support at least one of said carriers in spacednon-operative relation with the other and when rotated to move thecarrier supported thereby into cutting relation with the other, andmeans driven in synchronism with said carriers for operating said cam toselectively utilize the blades on said carriers and control the lengthsof the cuts.

25. A flying shear comprising a supporting frame, a pair of rotary bladecarriers equipped with an equal plurality of uniformly spaced axiallydisposed cutting blades mounted insald frame, means for rigidlysupporting one of said carriers against other than rotary movement, cammeans adapted to normally support the other carrier out oi cuttingrelation with said rigidly supported carrier and to move it into and outof cutting relation therewith when operated, means connected to a Genevawheel, for intermittently operating said cam means, and means driven inGeneva wheel.

26. A flying shear comprising a supporting frame, a pair 01 rotary bladecarriers equipped with an equal plurality of uniformly spaced axiallydisposed cutting blades mounted in said frame, means for rigidlysupporting one of said carriers against other than rotary 'movement,

cam means adapted to normally support the other carrier out of cuttingrelatiorr with said rigidly supported carrier, means constantly urgingsaid latter carrier toward said cam means,

a Geneva wheel for intermittently operating said cam means, and meansfor intermittently opcrating said Geneva-wheel to move the carriersupported by said cam means into and out 01." cutting relation with saidrigidly supported carrier in timed relation with said cutting blades.

27. A flying shear comprising a supporting frame, a pair 01' rotaryblade carriers equipped with an equal plurality of uniformly spacedaxially disposed cutting blades mounted'in said frame, means for drivingsaidtcarriers in positive synchronism and in such timed relation thattheblades on each carrier move into cutting opposition with cooperatingblades on the other with each revolution thereof, cam'means adapted tonormally support at least one 01 said carriersout of cutting relationwith the other and to intermittently move each carrier into and out ofcutting opposition with the other when operated, a Geneva wheelconnected to said cam means for intermittently moving the carrieractuated thereby into and out 01' cutting relation with the othercarrier, and means driven in synchronism with said carriers foroperating said Geneva wheel.

28. In a flying shear, a pair of rotary blade carriers equipped with anequal plurality of uniformly spaced axially disposed cooperating cuttingblades, a cam adapted to normally support atleast one oi said carriersout oi cutting relationwith the other and to move the, carrier supportedthereby into and out of cutting op position with the'other whenactuated, a' Geneva wheel connectedto said cam, and means driven insynchronism with said carriers for operating said Geneva wheel, saidmeans being adapted to produce a sumcient movement of said cam each timeit actuates said Geneva wheel to move the relation with the othercarrier and to do so in timed relation with'said cutting blades.

29. In a flying shear, a movably mounted rotary blade carrier equippedwith a plurality of equally spaced axially disposed cutting blades, cammeans disposed to normally support said carrier in a non-operativeposition and when operated to move the carrier into and back out ofcutting position, a Geneva wheel coupled to said cam, a pin wheelequipped with a plurality of selectively operable pins operablyassociated with said Geneva wheel in such a way that when the pin wheelis rotated and one of said pins is actuated to engage the Geneva wheelitwill move the latter sufliciently to cause the blade carrier to bemoved into and out of cutting position during the period the pin isengaged in the Geneva wheel, and means for driving said pin wheel insynchronism with said carrier.

with said Geneva wheel in such a way that when.

the pin wheel is rotated and one of said pins is actuated to engage the.Geneva wheel it will move the latter sufliciently to cause the bladecarrier to be moved into and out of cutting position during the periodthe pin is engaged in the Geneva wheel, means for driving said pin wheelin synchronism with said carrier, and means for selectively controllingthe actuation of said pins to control the lengths of cuts produced bythe I shear.

31. In a flying shear, a rotary blade carrier equipped with a pluralityof equally spaced axially disposed cuttingblades mounted in a pair ofvertically adjustable end bearings, a pair of cam wheels disposed toreciprocate said bearings mounted on a shaft arranged below saidcarrier, a series of equally spaced lobes formed on the periphery ofsaid cams and adapted when the cams are actuated to move said carrierinto and out ofcutting position, a Geneva wheel mounted on said camshaft, a pin wheel equipped with a plurality of adjustable pins foractuating said Geneva wheel operably associated therewith, said pinsbeing adapted to be engaged in the slots of the Genevawheel when the pinwheel is rotated and to turn the latter wheel an amount sumcient to movethe carrier into and out of cutting position during the period they areengaged in Said carriers sufliciently out of contact with the bther toallow a piece of stock to be passed between the two without interferencetherewith and to move such carrier into and out of cutting relation withthe other carrier when rotated, a

Geneva wheel coupled to said cam, a pin wheel 1 for operating saidGeneva wheel driven in syn chronism with said carriers, a plurality ofpins movably mounted in said pin wheel for engagement with said Genevawheel, said pins being adapted to move said Geneva wheel an amountsufficient to cause said cam means to move the carrier actuatedtherebyinto and out of cutting relation with the other carrier duringthe period they are engaged in such wheel, and means for selectivelyoperating said pins to determine the lengths of the cuts. a

33. A- flying shear comprising a supporting frame, a pair of .rotaryblade carriers equipped with three equally spaced axially disposedcutting blades rotatably mounted in said carriers;

means for so driving said carriers that the blades on the two move intocutting opposition with each other each time the carriers are rotated, acam wheel provided with six equally spaced lobes on'the peripheryadapted to normally support one of said carriers sufficiently out ofcontact with the other to permit a piece of-stock being passed betweenthe two without interference therewith and to move the carrier supportedthereby into and out of cutting relation with the other carrier eachtimeit is rotated the length of one of said lobes, a Geneva wheelprovided with a series of slots spaced from said cam lobes coupled tosaid cam, a pin wheel driven in synchronism with said carriers andequipped with twelve movable pins so mounted with respect to said Genevawheel that they may each be utilized to move said Geneva wheel adistance equal to the length'of one of said cam lobes, and meansforselectively operating said pins.

34. A flying shear comprising a supporting frame, a pair of bladecarriers equipped with an equal plurality of uniformly, spaced axiallydisposed cutting-blades rotatably mounted in said carriers, means forpositively driving said carriers to bring the blades of the two intocutting opposition with each other each time the car-' riers arerotated, cam means adapted to nor-, mally support one of said carrierssufliciently out of contact with the other to permit a piece of stock tobe passed between the two without interference therewith and to move thecarrier supported thereby into and out of cutting relation with theother carrier when rotated a given angular distance, a Geneva wheelcoupled to said cam, a pin wheel equipped with-a plurality of movablepins for operating said Geneva wheel being adapted to move said cammeans sufiiciently to move' the carrier operated thereby into andout ofcutting relation with the other carrier each time it is actuated by oneof said pins, meansfor driving said pin wheel in synchronism with saidcarriers, means for operating said pins, and means driven in synchronismwith said pin wheel for selectively controlling said, pin-operatingmeans.

35. In a flying shear, a rotary blade carrier equipped witha pluralityof equally spaced cutting blades, a cam wheel equipped with a pluralityof cam lobes arranged to normally support said carrier in anon-operative position andto move it into and out of cutting positioneach time said wheel is rotated the distance of one of said lobes,

a Geneva wheel coupled to said cam wheel, a pin wheel driven insynchronism with said carrier, a plurality of movable pins mounted insaid pin wheel, means for moving said pins to engage said Genevawheel,said pins being adapted to move the Geneva wheel a distance equal to thelength of one of said cam lobes during the period of their engagementtherein, means for selectively operatand means actuated by a piece ofstock being fed in operation.

36. In a flying shear, a rotary blade carrier equipped with a pluralityof equally spaced axially disposed cutting blades, means for drivingsaid carrier continuously, a cam wheel adapted to normally support saidcarrier in an inoperative position and to move it into and out ofcutting position when rotated, means driven in synchronism withsaidblade carrier for intermittently operating said cam wheel in timedrelation with said blades, and means actuated with said carrier forpreventing the blades on said carrier contacting the'stock being severedbefore and after each cut.

37. In a flying shear, a blade carrier equipped with a plurality ofequally spaced cutting blades mounted for both rotary and reciprocatorymovement, a cam wheel provided with a series of cam lobes arranged toreciprocate said carrier into and out of cutting position as it isrotated but adapted to normally support the carrier in an inoperativeposition, a Geneva wheel connected to said cam, a pin wheel equippedwith a plurality of normally idle adjustable pins disposed when actuatedto do so to engage said Geneva wheel and to rotate it a distance equalto one of said cam lobes during the period it engages the Geneva wheel,means for driving the pin in synchronism with the blade carrier, aseries of electromagnets for operating said pins, a series ofdistributors for actuating said magnets, and a series of control brushesdriven in synchronism with said distributor and arranged to selectivelycontrol the operation of said pin magnets.

38. In combination with a Geneva wheel, a driven pin carrier equippedwith a plurality of pins for engaging and rotating said Geneva wheel,means normally holding said pins in an inoperative position, and meansfor individually actuating them to engage the Geneva wheel.

39. In combination, a Geneva wheel, a driven pin carrier equipped with aplurality of pins for engaging and rotating said Geneva wheel, resilientmeans for normally holding said pins in an inoperative position, andelectromagnet means for individually actuating them to their operativeposition.

40. In combination, a Geneva wheel, a driven pin carrier equipped with aplurality of pins for engaging and rotating said Geneva wheel, means ingsaid pins to determine the lengths of the cuts.

normally holding said pins in an inoperative position, means forindividually operating them to engage the Geneva wheel, and means forpreventing the pins jamming in the event they do not register with theslots in the Geneva wheel when they are rotated into engagement with it.

41. In combination, a Geneva wheel, a driven pin wheel equipped with aplurality of adjustable pins operably associated with said Geneva'wheel,means for individually adjusting said pins to engage said Geneva wheel,and means for selectively controlling the operation of said pinadjustingmeans.

42. In a flying shear, a movably mounted rotary blade carrier equippedwith a cutting blade, means for moving said carrier into and out ofcutting position, and a Geneva wheel for operating said carrier-movingmeans.

43. In a flying shear, a cutting element comprising a rotary bladecarrier equipped with a plurality of equally spaced cutting blades, asecond cutting element adapted to cooperate with said first-mentionedelement in the making of cuts, means for moving one of said elementsinto and out of cutting position with the other, a Geneva wheel foroperating said last-mentioned means, and means for selectively operatingsaid Geneva wheel.

44. A flying shear comprising a cutting element equipped with aplurality of uniformly spaced cutting blades, a second cutting elementarranged to cooperate with said first-mentioned cutting element in theproduction of cuts, means for adjustably supporting one of said cuttingelements out of cutting relation with the other, means for driving saidcutting elements, selectively operable means driven in synchronism withsaid cutting blades for moving said adjustable cutting element into andout of cutting relation with the other in timed relation with the movingof said outing blades into cutting position, and means for effectingintermittent operation of said selectively operable cutting elementmoving means to determine the length of the cuts.

45. In a flying shear, a pair of cooperating cutting elements, means formoving one of said cutting elements into and out of operative cuttingrelation with the other, and a Geneva wheel for operating said cuttingelement moving means.

FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR.

